Course Description

This course takes a practitioner's look at the art of inquiry instruction appropriate to all learning settings, including, but not limited to classrooms, museums, planetariums, etc. Using many of the current pedagogical approaches of instruction including constructivism, misconceptions, the 5 E learning model, reflective practice, conceptual change theory and others, students in this course will critically examine their current instructional practice and together craft new approaches to teaching inquiry in the science classroom through the lens of the Science & Engineering Practices as outlined in A Framework for K-12 Science Education. Course assignments include readings, reflections on Science & Engineering Practices, discussions and the completion of an individualized inquiry project. Students in the course can expect a highly active, fully engaging, professionally stimulating class session each week.

Meeting Place and Times

Teachers login to the course at a time of day that best fits their schedule. It is necessary to connect at least 4 - 6 times per week spending 6-9 hours each week, either online or offline, to stay current and successfully complete this 2 credit graduate level course.

Instructor(s)

John Graves, EdD. Intercollege Programs for Science Education, Montana State University. John has over 35 years of experience with middle school and university instruction. He has a passion for helping teachers remain current with best practices in science education.

Prerequisites

The course prerequisites include at least one year of science teaching experience (undergraduate degree in science or education) or instructor approval is required. An undergraduate or graduate level education methods course is desired but not required.

Target Audience

The Course is designed to serve teachers enrolled in the MSSE program or other professional science educators; the course provides methods for engaging students (K-16) in science inquiry instruction.

Time Commitment:

6-9 hours per week. If you are unfamiliar with this field of study and/or method of delivery, you may require more time.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition

$533.00

Program Fee

$87.00

Computer Fee

$7.10

Distributed Learning Fee

$50.00

Total

$677.10

A $30 registration fee is also charged once per semester.

The costs above assume that you are taking only MSU Extended University courses during the semester that the course is offered. If you also registered for courses through the MSU Registrar, the regular MSU fee structure may apply.

A $40 late fee will be assessed if payment is not posted to your account by 3 pm (Mountain Time) of the course start date (or the business day before if the course starts on a weekend or a holiday).

You can order the appropriate text through the Montana State University Bookstore at 1-888-247-2546. Ask to speak with the Textbook Department. It will expedite your order if you tell the sales representative:

the course number & title (MSSE 501: Inquiry Through Science and Engineering Practices);